Over 120 lawmakers of the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu have not been seen since Wednesday, closely guarded by V.K. Sasikala lest they defect to O. Panneerselvam, the man who has challenged her claim to the Chief Minister’s post.

The Police in Chennai have been asked by the Madras High Court to submit a report on the lawmakers. Chennai police chief S George met Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao this morning amid complaints by Panneerselvam’s supporters that lawmakers are being held “hostage”.

On Wednesday, the lawmakers were taken in luxury buses to hotels and resorts where they were to stay until they are paraded before the Governor for a show of strength. Shanmuganathan, one of the lawmakers who left a bus for a “bathroom break” and did not return, was later seen at Panneerselvam’s house. Another lawmaker’s husband reported her missing in a court petition.

Of the 134 AIADMK lawmakers in the State, five have crossed over to Panneerselvam, who resigned as Chief Minister earlier this week but now says he was forced by Ms Sasikala to quit and has the right to remain in the post.

Attempts by the media and people to contact the “missing” lawmakers have also failed so far. A list of names and phone numbers has been widely shared on Twitter as part of a “Call Your MLA” campaign that urges people to dial lawmakers and express their opinion about who should be chief minister. The Madras HC had yesterday dismissed petitions alleging “illegal detention” of lawmakers after the government’s lawyers said the legislators are “free to move around.”